Animals

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Super Old Cats

How long can a cat live? You might be surprised at the answer!

Although the average lifespan for an indoor-only, male cat is 12-14 years, some cats manage to live considerably longer. Cats of 17, 18, even 20 years old are not too uncommon. But then on the very far end of the bell curve, you have the world's oldest cats!
 
Currently the world's record is held by Creme Puff, who was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as being 38 years old and 3 days at the time of her death. Creme Puff lived with Jake Perry, an Austin, Texas cat lover who is the subject of this ten minute mini documentary. 

Four Products For Older Cats

Make your cat's golden years truly golden!

Although the typical life expectancy for a male indoor cat is 12-14 years, cats can live up to 18, 19, even 20 years or more. (The world's record is held by Creme Puff, who died at the age of 38.) As they age, just like people, certain things will make a cat's life much easier and more comfortable. 
 
1. Good Nutrition
A high-quality food is even more important for an older cat than a younger one. Older cats have a more difficult time metabolizing their food, so it needs to be as nutritious as possible in order for them to get the same benefit as they did when they were younger. In addition, a high-quality food will have less filler and ash, both of which are substances that can cause health issues in older cats (like kidney and bladder problems). 

Constipation in Cats

It's more common than you might think

 

Constipation is a frequent concern in cats, particularly in older cats. Most cats will have a bowel movement once or twice a day, but a constipated cat may go 2, 3, or even 4 days between bowel movements. At which point, the experience is incredibly painful, and the cat is in a considerable amount of discomfort and pain.
 
How do you know a cat is constipated?
Being aware of your cat's usual elimination schedule is your best bet. You can also look for signs of distress, crying, discomfort, a belly which seems fuller or harder than usual, and a cat who visits the litter box often without anything happening. 

Cat Eye Infections: What You Need To Know

Long story short, a cat with an eye infection needs to go to the vet
A cat's eyes are one of its most alluring features. Unfortunately, cats are prone to several different types of eye infections which can be uncomfortable and disfiguring, and can even lead to blindness in the long term if left untreated for too long.
 
Signs Your Cat Has An Eye Infection
You are probably familiar with the cat's so-called "third eyelid," the nictitating membrane which can usually just be glimpsed in the inner corners of your cat's eyes. These membranes may be visible if your cat is sleeping with its eyes slightly open, or if it is very happy and relaxed.

Cats Are Beating Us At Our Own Games

Now they're beating us at an iPad game, too!
Friskies has announced the newest app: an iPad game that you play against your cat! Friskies has already been at the forefront of this strangest of tech booms, with their three iPhone apps that were games designed for cats. However, those were single-player games. Now, with the new "You Vs. Cat" game, you actually play head-to-head against your cat!
 
In "You Vs Cat," which debuted this week at the SXSW conference, your job is to flick a little object across the screen. Your cat plays goalie, and "repels the objects by pouncing on them." Not only do many cats enjoy this game… they are actually beating us at it!

Is It Okay If My Cat Lost A Whisker?

It's normal to find the occasional stray whisker
From time to time, you may find a stray cat whisker on the floor or the couch. This can be somewhat alarming to the new cat owner, since everyone knows that whiskers are very important, sensitive, delicate instruments. You don't expect to find one just lying there on the coffee table!
 
Cats do shed their whiskers, but only one or two at a time. It's similar to the way that we shed eyelashes. It's normal to find one here and there, but if you start finding a lot of whiskers at the same time, something serious might be going on.
 
Finding the occasional stray whisker, however, is not cause for concern.

Rome's Feral Cats Get The Attenborough Treatment

Meow bella!
Metafilter user lemuring dug up a fascinating old Animal Planet special, evidently from back in the days when Animal Planet ran documentary shows about animals (instead of their current line-up of endless animal-related reality shows). "City of the Wildcats" follows a colony of cats that lives in the ruins of Trajan's Forum in Rome. You can watch it on Youtube in two parts, each about ten minutes long: Part 1, Part 2.
 
We often see feral cats in passing, but we rarely get to see very far into their lives. I have a friend who feeds a trio of feral cats at his home in the country; we know almost nothing about them. Cats are so secretive, and so seemingly commonplace, but this documentary is proof that their lives are incredibly fascinating.

Trimming Your Cat's Nails

It's quick and easy - and it can save you and your cat some pain!
Along with the other topics of cat grooming, we should talk about trimming your cat's nails. Now it is true that most cats, most of the time, will not experience nail growth that causes problems. 
 
(Although it is possible for a neglected cat's nails to grow over, under, then up and through their paws. I know a cat who suffered this fate, she was rescued from a kitten mill in this condition. She survived and thrived with her new owner, although her gait was never quite the same. But assuming that your cat experiences a normal amount of mobility, this should not be a concern for the vast majority of cat owners.)

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